The nation of Israel and the Jewish world (except for the Karaite Jews) celebrated the Day of Atonement Wednesday, so why am I celebrating today (Thursday)? The command in Lev 23:26-32 is to set aside the 10th day of the 7th month as the Day of Atonement. The 1st day of the 7th month is the day the new moon is sighted. The trumpet is blown throughout the land, alerting everyone that the 7th month has begun … that the Day of Atonement is coming. The new moon was sighted this year, in the evening of Monday, September 17 … which made sundown last night the start of the 10th day, not sundown the previous night.
So why does the nation of Israel and the Jews celebrate it when they do? Their calendar is figured in advance based on mathematical calculations set in place for centuries by the rabbis … since for so many centuries, the Jews have not lived in Israel where the trumpets could be blown throughout the land, but scattered to the four winds throughout the world. And today, this is the way it is still done.
I have chosen to follow the command as written, and not the traditions of men, and that is why I am a day off … but that is just me.
For further reading:
global, corporate, and individual day of atonement (2012)
day of atonement, part 1, part 2, part 3 (2009)
day of atonement meditation (2008)
Hi Christine, Shalom Well, I happen to agree with you. But the only thing that I could do was to celebrate Corporately, and then I celebrated privately at home at the correct time. Both times I was much blessed. However, the group that I am gathering with will be Celebrating Sukkot from Shabbat, that is today!!!!! Never the less I will only gather with them today, and again on Monday, but then on the following Sunday, as a “rehearsal” for what I “remember” of His Holy Word and Ways at home. I’m not covering all bases……… However, for Yom Kippur, the day before the Gathering for what they perceived to be the beginning of the Day of Atonement (evening) had been one that was so very blessed and “ordered of The Lord”. The lady of the house where we gathered also found the similar blessings that day. We had an excellent time with like minded persons, and I was able to keep the fast for the full time, except for water. However, There was the individual time when I privately meet with YHVH, but I found the Corporate very much a Preparation. So for Sukkot, I will be “at home alone” but never alone in His Company. I agree with you, it is not for Him to meet us when it is convenient to us…………but these are His Appointed Times and it is those times we are to meet HIM. He is Melaki……..My King, Your King, Melekanu, Our King. He has asked us to begin each new month when we can see the first slivers of the new month from Jerusalem. Such news now travels around the world at incredible speed. Month and Moon being the same words in Hebrew. Is it such a hard thing for us to “Wait upon Him” for His timing? Yes it might muck up our “Schedules” but what is that in comparison to meeting with Him at His appointed time? There are years where we wait upon Him for an extra month, but each time we are to be ready for the month of Aviv/Nisan. He could cause that first crop to be ready at the end of every 12 months if He so chose……….but says “will you not wait with me one more month?” Just as Yeshua said to His talmidim “Could you not wait with me One Hour?” He is the King of Kings, and He knows the times and seasons……….after all He created them…….are we not to await His still small voice saying “this is the way, walk ye in it”. So, you are not a day off, but right on as you Americans seem to phrase it, or “Spot on” as we say. Put simply, my opinion has become, I would rather Celebrate His Times early, than to be late, then I can Celebrate at the right time at home alone in His Company if it must be so. Shalom dear and much loved sister. u’brachot. Eunice/Evnehkah
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Shalom Eunice, thank you so much for stopping by and for your wisdom. You are indeed a much loved sister. <3